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Trackers have been fitted to gritters in Essex for the benefit of road users according to theenquirer.co.uk.

Severe weather warnings were issued at the start of the week and more snow is forecast for Friday and into the weekend.

With the temperatures plunging to below freezing, ice on the roads is a real danger. In fact, the AA reporting around 1,000 breakdowns every hour.

The gritters are said to be out in full force, preparing the roads as best the can ready for the snowy blast. The tracking systems allow local residents to check the progress and routes of the gritting trucks online, so they can easily see which roads have already been treated and which ones are best avoided.

The real-time update shows where in the county each truck is and the route it is expected to follow, so drivers can plan their journeys.

Sky.com has reported that up to nine inches of snow is expected in some areas, with train services expected to be cancelled and schools to close.

The delays to the public transport network could mean more people are forced to drive to work so clearing the roads is a priority in many areas. The tracking of gritters is also available in other areas of the country, allowing drivers more notice on the situation of the roads before making the decision whether to leave the house.